CFMC Grants

Board Empowerment Program

CFMC’S Center for Nonprofit Excellence continues the Board Empowerment Program (BEP) in 2026 with support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Phyllis Geer Krystal Fund for Animal Welfare. The purpose is to strengthen the organizational impact of Monterey County nonprofits through effective and empowered board leadership. This innovative opportunity combines a $5,000 unrestricted grant with focused consulting, accountability and a cohort of other local nonprofits working on similar board projects.

Read about the inaugural BEP cohort

Description

The Board Empowerment Program supports up to 12 organizations to make meaningful changes in nonprofit board structure, policy or practices for a more effective, empowered board of directors. Participation is by application and includes the following:

$5,000 unrestricted grant
Teams of two representatives (e.g., Board Chair and Executive Director) work toward ambitious yet achievable goals for their organization.
Assessment and goal setting with ten months of focused coaching with a consultant.
Cohort convenings offer a supportive environment and connection with peers in related organizations.

Criteria

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations with a mission of importance to the communities of Monterey County are encouraged to apply, including areas of the County that have been historically under-invested. (Fiscally sponsored groups are not eligible.)
Organizations must have had a Board of Directors in place for at least two years.
The Board Chair and Executive Director can dedicate time to participate in the program together (roughly five hours per month).
Board representative participating in BEP should have at least two years of experience with this board.
The Board of Directors as a whole must be open, ready and committed to systemic changes with time available to devote to the program.

Read the full guidelines.

Completed applications are due no later than Friday, January 30, 2026.

Recent Grants

Sale


Organization	Amount Awarded
ARIEL Theatrical	$5,000
BirchBark Foundation	$5,000
Bird School Project	$5,000
Community Human Services	$5,000
Hope Horses & Kids	$5,000
Housing Resource Center of Monterey County	$5,000
I Cantori di Carmel	$5,000
Marine Life Studies	$5,000
Monterey Peninsula Pride	$5,000
Read to Me Project	$5,000